Fresh fruits and veggies can be expensive, but there’s one cheap trick that will help you save money on fresh produce at the grocery store.
Weight it!
Use the grocery store’s scale to weigh your produce before you buy it. Since most fruit and vegetables are sold by weight, you should weigh them to make sure you’re getting the most value for your money.
For example, it can be significantly cheaper to buy some items like apples, oranges, potatoes or onions in bags, rather than individually. But despite their labels, not all bags weigh the same.
Before you pick up that 5-pound bag of Braeburn apples, make sure it really weighs 5 pounds. Try a few different bags of apples on the grocery store scale. You may find that some weigh slightly under and others slightly over five pounds. Buy the heavier bag and you’ll get more for your money.
Sometimes you will see produce like bell peppers, watermelons or pumpkins sold at a flat, per-unit price. In this case, you’ll want to weigh them to make sure you’re getting the largest one for the price.
And don’t forget to give that produce a shake before you buy it. The regular misting of fresh produce can really weigh down some items like leafy greens, so give them a good shake to get rid of the excess water. It will weigh less when you check out, which means you’ll save money.
So the next time you shop for fresh produce, make sure to weigh it. The scale will tip the savings in your favor.
Love it. I never thought of this idea but now that you point it out, using the scales seems like common sense. Thanks for sharing the trick!
Great tips! However, If you don’t want to be seen weighing several bags of produce, just keep in mind that over time, the weights will even out. Is it worth your time to do this?
Here’s some more tips from what I’ve learned over the years:
Grow your own as much as you can. Yes, I know, you live in an apartment. The Kratky Method works very well, and so do containers such as the Oasis Pot. Use these methods to grow leafy greens and short-season cauliflower, cabbage and other veggies, and also consider sprouting and microgreens.
Many Walmarts will match Aldi and other stores’ produce sales, so take full advantage of this, and eat what’s on sale, planning your menus each week around the sales.
And don’t forget Ibotta and other such sites that offer discounts on your purchases.
I can’t believe I never thought of this! Very smart!
I have done this with bagged potatoes and have seen ten-pound bags vary from as little as nine and a half pounds to TEN and a half pounds. Thanks, I always prefer the larger choice!
It’s funny how some people must think I’m dumb, as they come over to me to tell me the weight is marked on the bag already, ha ha. I assure them I have my reasons, and some of the other shoppers began doing what I do — they weigh their pre-marked produce bags.
Stop at the Blemished Produce Section. I have lots of little ones under foot…so I usually cut up the fruit anyway….it’s easy enough to cut out a bruise from a pear….and you can save quite a bit looking for the marked down fruit. Bargain fruits and veggies are also great for grilling.
I do this! In fact, I’ve found as much as a 12 percent difference in bags of carrots.
Do not know about most of you, but the stores in my area have removed the scales. You cannot weigh any produce or bulk sold item.
Really? That stinks! All of my stores still have scales. Maybe you’ll have to smuggle a small scale in your purse. :-)